Betty, the chimpanzee that had been at the Dublin Zoo for the longest and the oldest living chimp under human care, passed away last week at the age of 62. She was one of the zoo’s most cherished and well-known inmates.
A zoo blog article claims that Betty had age-related ailments that were impairing her quality of life, and the tough choice to end her life was made to spare her from suffering in the future.
Although it is heartbreaking to lose Betty, she enjoyed a lengthy life that exceeded the average lifespan of a chimpanzee in captivity. According to the zoo, she was also the oldest chimpanzee in human care at the time of her death.
Team leader Helen Clarke Bennett of Dublin Zoo, who has worked as a zookeeper since 1987 and has known Betty for many years, paid tribute to her.
In 1964, a West African chimpanzee named Betty made her way to Dublin. Bennett notes that Betty participated in archaic practices like “Chimp Tea Parties” and that the Dublin Zoo continued to operate in the “style of the early Victorian era zoos” throughout that period.
Betty saw major advancements in zoo standards throughout her decades-long confinement. For example, in the 1990s, the chimp habitat was transformed from a metal-barred concrete “pit” to an island with trees.
Bennett claimed to have known Betty since the zoo’s early years since Michael Clarke, Betty’s father, was looking after her at the time. The chimp was “always strong-minded,” according to him, and would not give up on her goals.
After Wendy moved in 1964, Betty’s best friend, Wendy, became an integral part of her life for the majority of it. One of the cutest pairs in the zoo was formed by the two monkeys.
“Wendy had a cheeky side, but Betty could hold her accountable!” Bennett penned the piece. “When Wendy was obstinately refusing to go outside while the habitat was being cleaned, Betty putting her arm around her to encourage her to go outside with the rest of the troop will always be one of my favorite pictures.”
Betty and Wendy celebrated their 50th birthdays together in 2012 at the zoo. The zoo workers believed that Betty, who was devastated by Wendy’s death in 2014, wouldn’t be far behind.
She even managed to live on for a further ten years, rising to the rank of dominating female chimpanzee and earning the title of longest-serving inhabitant of the zoo.
Bennett stated that Betty experienced reduced kidney function and chronic arthritis in her latter years, which affected her weight and mobility. She was also under continuous wellness management.
They had to make the tough but humane decision to end the beloved chimp’s life after all medicinal and surgical alternatives had been tried. Even though Betty is no longer with us, she will always be cherished as a unique original and a zoogoer’s favorite for many decades to come.
“Although I am really saddened to bid farewell to a friend I have known since I was a young child, I am sure that Betty’s euthanasia was the right choice, ensuring that she didn’t suffer needlessly and preserving her dignity to the very end. That gives me a great deal of comfort,” Bennett wrote.
“Everyone here at Dublin Zoo as well as the many generations of visitors who were fortunate enough to know her will miss Betty terribly; there will never be another like her.”
Peace be with you, Betty. You lived a very long life, and it’s obvious that your loved ones and caregivers cherished you.
Only girls understand
Some things in life don’t need explanations—they just are. And one of those things? The universal truth that girls wear lipstick when they go out but almost never at home. It’s an unspoken rule, a beauty enigma, and a habit that many women instinctively follow without even realizing it. But why does this happen? What makes lipstick an essential when stepping outside but unnecessary in the comfort of home? If you’re a woman, you already know. If you’re not, prepare to have your mind blown.
The Power of Lipstick: More Than Just Makeup
Lipstick isn’t just a cosmetic product—it’s a confidence booster, a style statement, and sometimes even a form of self-expression. A bold red, a soft nude, or a daring plum shade can change the entire vibe of an outfit. But as soon as the front door closes behind her, that carefully applied lipstick magically disappears.
Why? Because lipstick has a purpose. It’s meant to enhance, captivate, and complete a look. At home, there’s no need to impress, no social expectations, and no reason to keep reapplying something that will only fade while binge-watching Netflix.
The Effort Factor: Lipstick Is High Maintenance
Let’s be real—lipstick is work. Unlike other makeup products like foundation or mascara, lipstick requires upkeep. It smudges, it fades, it transfers onto everything from coffee cups to shirt collars. When out in public, women are willing to go through the effort of checking their reflection every so often, blotting, reapplying, and making sure it doesn’t bleed.
Video : Why Women Wear Lipstick?
At home? No, thank you. Who wants to deal with lipstick stains on pillows or the dreaded moment when you absentmindedly rub your lips and smear it across your face?
The Comfort Zone: Bare Lips Feel Better
There’s something freeing about being at home—shoes come off, hair gets tied up, and makeup? It either comes off completely or gets toned down to the bare minimum. Lipstick, in particular, can feel heavy or dry after a few hours. Even the best formulas leave a noticeable texture, and nothing beats the natural feeling of bare, hydrated lips.
A swipe of lip balm? Absolutely. A creamy lipstick that requires maintenance? Not so much.
Social Standards: Looking Good for the Outside World
Like it or not, there’s a certain societal pressure to look polished in public. Lipstick is one of the quickest ways to transform a look from “just woke up” to “put together” in seconds. Even on no-makeup days, a little lip color can make it seem like effort was made.
But when it’s just you, the couch, and your favorite hoodie, who’s there to judge? Nobody. And that’s the beauty of it—girls don’t wear lipstick at home because they don’t need to.
The Ritual of Getting Ready
For many women, putting on lipstick is part of the “getting ready” ritual. It signals the transition from home mode to outside mode. The moment that lipstick glides on, it’s game time—whether that means heading to work, going out for brunch, or just running errands.
At home, that ritual isn’t necessary. The absence of lipstick signifies relaxation, comfort, and an environment free of expectations.
The Science Behind It: Lipstick and Mood Psychology
Believe it or not, there’s actual psychology behind the lipstick phenomenon. Studies have shown that wearing lipstick can boost confidence and even influence perception. A red lip, for instance, has been linked to increased feelings of power and attractiveness.
But at home, where comfort takes priority over power moves, there’s no need for that extra confidence boost. Women aren’t trying to project anything—they’re just being themselves.
Video : 8 Lipstick Hacks Every Girl Should Know
The Unspoken Sisterhood: Every Girl Just Knows
This is one of those things that doesn’t need to be taught—it’s just understood. Ask any woman, and she’ll instantly get it. Lipstick is for the world outside; natural lips are for home. It’s not laziness, nor is it a rejection of beauty. It’s simply an unwritten rule of self-care and practicality.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever wondered why the same girl who rocks a flawless lipstick outside suddenly ditches it the moment she steps through her front door, now you know. It’s a mix of comfort, practicality, and the simple joy of being makeup-free when no one’s watching.
Lipstick is a powerful tool, but at home, the only approval that matters is her own. And that’s a beauty rule only girls truly understand.
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